A Contemporary Cuba Reader

The Revolution under Raúl Castro, Second Edition

Cuba has undergone dramatic changes since the collapse of European communism. The loss of economic aid and preferential trade with the Soviet Union and other Eastern bloc countries forced the Cuban government to search out new ways of organizing the domestic economy and new commercial relations in an international system dominated by market economies. The resulting economic reforms have reverberated through Cuban society and politics, recreating social inequalities unknown since the 1950s and confronting the political system with unprecedented new challenges. The resulting ferment is increasingly evident in Cuban cultural expression, and the responses to adversity and scarcity have reshaped Cuban social relations.

This completely revised and updated edition focuses on Cuba since Raúl Castro took over the country’s leadership in 2006. A Contemporary Cuba Reader brings together the best recent scholarship and writing on Cuban politics, economics, foreign relations, society, and culture in present-day Cuba. Ideally suited for students and general readers seeking to understand this still-contentious and controversial island, the book includes a substantive introduction setting the historical context, as well as part introductions and a chronology.

Supplementary resources for students and professors are available here.

Philip Brenner is professor of international relations at American University. Marguerite Rose Jiménez is a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Public Affairs at American University. John M. Kirk is professor of Latin American studies at Dalhousie University. William M. LeoGrande is professor of government at American University.

[An] excellent anthology. . . . These articles by various scholars examine the role of the Communist Party and the armed forces, agricultural transformation, the emergence of class divisions in the 'dollar economy,' cultural changes and various aspects of Cuban foreign policy. For readers who hope to understand contemporary Cuba and our relationship with her government and people, these essays will be highly informative.(Previous Edition Praise)— Booklist

This amalgamation of Cuban politics, economics, foreign policy, social issues and culture leaves even the experienced cubanologist feeling that she or he has been on an essential crash course to understand contemporary Cuba. . . . I congratulate the editors and contributors for producing an informative, well-organized and timely book.(Previous Edition Praise)— International Journal Of Cuban Studies

This comprehensive and impressive anthology traces the extraordinary transition process that took place during what Fidel Castro dubbed Cuba's 'Special Period.' . . . The stated goal of the editors is to provide undergraduates with a resource that brings together the best of Cuban scholarship, and they have certainly done that. . . . There remains so much in this book that is relevant, worthwhile, and informative that it may be recommended to all students of contemporary Cuba and as an excellent core reader for any course on the same topic.(Previous Edition Praise)— Journal of Latin American Studies

This is a wonderful resource for the study, discussion, and understanding of the contemporary history of Cuba. Delving into often-ignored areas of daily and institutional experience, and opening with an admirably lucid introduction, this text will become an indispensable tool for the teaching of contemporary Cuba in the English-speaking world.(Previous Edition Praise)— James Dunkerley, University of London

This book is outstanding in both the breadth and depth of its coverage of Cuba today. The forty-nine contributions span the gamut of Cuban politics, economics, foreign policy, social transformation, and culture. The coeditors are to be applauded for an engaging volume that will stand the test of time.(Previous Edition Praise)— Cynthia McClintock, George Washington University

With chapters written by an international who’s who of specialists in contemporary Cuban politics, international relations, economics, culture, and society—all framed by an uncommonly useful introduction—A Contemporary Cuba Reader is among those few edited volumes that should be on every Latin Americanist’s bookshelf. Highly recommended.(Previous Edition Praise)— Lars Schoultz, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Offers a comprehensive description and analysis of contemporary Cuba

Readings have been judiciously selected to provide a mix of analytic, descriptive, and anecdotal perspectives

Introductory essays to each section provide clear context for each article

All readings have been carefully edited for readability

A detailed chronology provides readers with a timeline since 2006

The substantive historical overview provides sufficient background so that the book can serve as a primary text for any course on Cuba

Ideal for courses on Cuban history, Contemporary Cuba, Latin American Politics, and the Developing World

Supplementary resources for students and professors are available here.

New featuresFocuses on the period since Raúl Castro took over the country’s leadership in 2006

Includes 45 new essays, retaining only 5 of the original readings

Many of the new pieces are original essays rather than reprints

Expanded culture section

A Contemporary Cuba Reader

The Revolution under Raúl Castro, Second Edition

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Summary

Cuba has undergone dramatic changes since the collapse of European communism. The loss of economic aid and preferential trade with the Soviet Union and other Eastern bloc countries forced the Cuban government to search out new ways of organizing the domestic economy and new commercial relations in an international system dominated by market economies. The resulting economic reforms have reverberated through Cuban society and politics, recreating social inequalities unknown since the 1950s and confronting the political system with unprecedented new challenges. The resulting ferment is increasingly evident in Cuban cultural expression, and the responses to adversity and scarcity have reshaped Cuban social relations.

This completely revised and updated edition focuses on Cuba since Raúl Castro took over the country’s leadership in 2006. A Contemporary Cuba Reader brings together the best recent scholarship and writing on Cuban politics, economics, foreign relations, society, and culture in present-day Cuba. Ideally suited for students and general readers seeking to understand this still-contentious and controversial island, the book includes a substantive introduction setting the historical context, as well as part introductions and a chronology.

Supplementary resources for students and professors are available here.

Philip Brenner is professor of international relations at American University. Marguerite Rose Jiménez is a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Public Affairs at American University. John M. Kirk is professor of Latin American studies at Dalhousie University. William M. LeoGrande is professor of government at American University.

[An] excellent anthology. . . . These articles by various scholars examine the role of the Communist Party and the armed forces, agricultural transformation, the emergence of class divisions in the 'dollar economy,' cultural changes and various aspects of Cuban foreign policy. For readers who hope to understand contemporary Cuba and our relationship with her government and people, these essays will be highly informative.(Previous Edition Praise)— Booklist

This amalgamation of Cuban politics, economics, foreign policy, social issues and culture leaves even the experienced cubanologist feeling that she or he has been on an essential crash course to understand contemporary Cuba. . . . I congratulate the editors and contributors for producing an informative, well-organized and timely book.(Previous Edition Praise)— International Journal Of Cuban Studies

This comprehensive and impressive anthology traces the extraordinary transition process that took place during what Fidel Castro dubbed Cuba's 'Special Period.' . . . The stated goal of the editors is to provide undergraduates with a resource that brings together the best of Cuban scholarship, and they have certainly done that. . . . There remains so much in this book that is relevant, worthwhile, and informative that it may be recommended to all students of contemporary Cuba and as an excellent core reader for any course on the same topic.(Previous Edition Praise)— Journal of Latin American Studies

This is a wonderful resource for the study, discussion, and understanding of the contemporary history of Cuba. Delving into often-ignored areas of daily and institutional experience, and opening with an admirably lucid introduction, this text will become an indispensable tool for the teaching of contemporary Cuba in the English-speaking world.(Previous Edition Praise)— James Dunkerley, University of London

This book is outstanding in both the breadth and depth of its coverage of Cuba today. The forty-nine contributions span the gamut of Cuban politics, economics, foreign policy, social transformation, and culture. The coeditors are to be applauded for an engaging volume that will stand the test of time.(Previous Edition Praise)— Cynthia McClintock, George Washington University

With chapters written by an international who’s who of specialists in contemporary Cuban politics, international relations, economics, culture, and society—all framed by an uncommonly useful introduction—A Contemporary Cuba Reader is among those few edited volumes that should be on every Latin Americanist’s bookshelf. Highly recommended.(Previous Edition Praise)— Lars Schoultz, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Features

Features

Offers a comprehensive description and analysis of contemporary Cuba

Readings have been judiciously selected to provide a mix of analytic, descriptive, and anecdotal perspectives

Introductory essays to each section provide clear context for each article

All readings have been carefully edited for readability

A detailed chronology provides readers with a timeline since 2006

The substantive historical overview provides sufficient background so that the book can serve as a primary text for any course on Cuba

Ideal for courses on Cuban history, Contemporary Cuba, Latin American Politics, and the Developing World

Supplementary resources for students and professors are available here.

New featuresFocuses on the period since Raúl Castro took over the country’s leadership in 2006